NTU urges all Senators to vote “YES” on motions introduced by Senators Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn to permanently extend all current tax rates, repeal the death tax, and fully offset the proposed extension of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits with spending reductions elsewhere.
Senator DeMint’s amendment would make permanent the current individual income tax relief provisions, the AMT patch, and repeal of the death tax. A two-year extension is a preferable alternative to the disaster of inaction or continuation of only some rates, but guaranteeing taxpayer relief without an expiration date improves the chances for long-term economic prosperity and avoids otherwise inevitable political bickering in 2012. Furthermore, we support full, permanent repeal of the death tax – a levy that punishes thrift, savings, and hard work. In times like these, we cannot afford to crush the talent and dreams of those who aspire to make America a better place.
SenatorCoburn’s amendment would offset increased spending on UI benefits by cutting$156 billion from wasteful programs in the federal budget. While we sympathize withfamilies struggling to make ends meet, we do not believe that a near-permanentassistance program will help those seeking financially stable footing for thelong term. If Congress insists on providing these benefits, the Coburnamendment allows them an opportunity to do so without adding to the unsustainablespending that threatens America’s fiscal future.
NTU urges the Senate to support a fairand permanent extension of current tax rates without adding to the load ofoverburdened taxpayers. As such, all roll call votes relating tothe DeMint and Coburn motions will be significantly weighted in ourannual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact:
NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Jordan Forbes at(703) 683-5700